Reversible board and support therefor



Dec. 13, 1955 J. M. JECMEN 2,726,460

REVERSIBLE BOARD AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Nov. 20, 1952 United States Patent Oiice 2,725,460 Patented Dec. 13, 1955 REVERSIBLE BOARD AND SUPPORT THEREFOR James M. Jecmen, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Harris Preble Fire Doors, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 20, 1952, Serial N o. 321,680

7 Claims. (Cl. 35-62) The present invention relates to a novel reversible board and supporting frame or mounting therefor for use in a school or class-room, or wherever a blackboard or chalkboard or a display board or corkboard is susceptible of use. In the novel embodiment, one side of the board presents a blackboard or chalkboard for writing or drawing, and the other side presents a display board or corkboard to which articles, pictures, and the like, may be attached for display purposes, the board and frame being so constructed and arranged that the board may be quickly and easily reversed, whenever the occasion requires.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel reversible board and support therefor.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel supporting frame or mounting so designed and constructed that the board in either of its positions of use is disposed and rmly held at an inclination so as to facilitate its use, especially by children. For example, it is found that children when writing on the present inclined blackboard or chalkboard, write with less effort and more legibly than upon one that is vertically disposed such as those with which class-rooms are presently equipped. There is also less breakage of chalk and with the forward location of the chalk trough there is less likelihood of the chalk and the eraser, as well as any chalk dust, etc., dropping upon the floor.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel mounting or supporting frame for rigidly holding and retaining the board in either of its positions of use, yet permitting the board to be readily and easily reversed.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, eiciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in perspective of the novel assembled unit of a reversible board and the supporting frame or mounting therefor.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in rear elevation of one end of the supporting frame or mounting and showing its manner of assembly and che plurality of spaced openings for supporting the assembly at any desired or convenient height and upon any suitable wall or backing, the view being taken in a plane represented by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view in horizontal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and viewed inthe direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view in vertical cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged view in front elevation of the board.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing and to the novel illustrative Vembodiment therein shown, the board 10 is reversible in that it contains a laminated chalkboard or blackboard 11 on one side and a corkboard, display board or the like 12 on the other side for use in mounting and displaying thereon announcements, pictures and other material or articles that may be readily attached thereto and retained thereon by thumb tacks, pins or other securing means, and also readily removed therefrom. The edges of the reversible board are enclosed within a continuous channel member or U- shaped molding or binding 13 to form a rigid assembly. To facilitate removal and reversal of the board, it is rpreferably provided with an opening 14 adjacent its opposite lower ends for insertion of a finger in each to permit the user to lift and withdraw the board for mounting it in the reverse position, when desired.

`To mount this reversible board 10 in rigid, operative position, with either the chalk or blackboard side 11 or the corkboard or display side 12 exposed, the present invention comprehends the provision of a supporting frame 15 having a channelled head rail 16, a channelled base 17 and channelled side or end frame members 18 suitably joined together at their adjoining ends by having their inturned or overlapping anges connected together by bolts 19 or other attaching means. The frame so assembled may be reinforced by suitable brace members such as steel straps 21 for connecting the inner or rear ange 22 of the side frame members 18 to the head rail 16 and base 17 of the supporting frame. Preferably, the frame is of a non-corrosive metal, such as aluminum, although any metal or material having the requisite strength and suitable for the purpose intended may be employed.

The inturned inner or vertical flange 22 of the side y The base 17 of the-frame 15 is of substantially greater depth or lateral dimensions than the head rail 16 whereby the board 10 when in its operative position is inclined downwardly and outwardly away from the wall or supporting surface 25 and toward the user as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The interior of the base provides a relatively large and highly practicable storage space at 26 to which access may be readily had by lifting and wholly or partially removing the board 10.

To mount the board 10 in inclined position and to permit its ready removal or reversal, the outer ange 27 of the head rail 16 is inclined downwardly and outwardly and provided with an inturned fold to form adownwardly opening channel section 28 for slidably receiving the upper end or horizontal edge of the board 10 as shown in Fig. 2. The outer ange 29 of the base 17 is also inclined in a manner or angle similar to that of the flange 27 and provided with an inturned fold and an upwardly opening channel section 31 providing a support for receiving and supporting the lower end or horizontal edge of the board 10. The channel of the section 31 is of less depth than that of the section 28 to permit the lower end of the board 10 to be readily and easily lifted out of its channel in the section 31 and moved forwardly or outwardly as shown in dottcdoutline in Fig. 2, while the upper'edge is free to move vertically in the channel section 28.

To provide for a rigid support for the opposite ends or upright edgesof the board 10 (Fig. 5), each'side'or end frame member 18 is formed with an inturned fold .providing an endange 32 anda ange, shelf or shoulder 33 against which the board rests when in assembled position for use.

-Attached to the horizontally arranged outer flange 29 of 'the base 17 is a continuous-chalk and erasertrough 34 and enclosing end plates 35 at the opposite ends thereof, the `trough having longitudinally `extending grooves 36 for the reception of the chalk and the upper surface adapted to'support thereon erasers, etc.

Althoughthe present novel invention showsan assembly containing but a single unit or board, it is to be understood that the length of the supporting Vframe may be 'extended overthe entire 'or a substantial portion of o'ne or more walls of a class-room and containing multiple boards orunits.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. 'In combination, a reversible board and a supporting frame for mounting said board for use with either side exposed, said frame comprising a head rail, base and side members all rigidly connected into a unit assembly, said side members each having a liange against which the side edgestof the board abut and said head rail and base members being channelled for reception of the upper and lower edges of the board and holding these edges in rigid assembly `for use but permitting the board to be quickly and readily removed for use in the reverse position.

2. In combination, a reversible board and a supporting frame for mounting said board for use with either side exposed, vsaid frame comprising head, base and side members connected together into a vrigid assembly, said head and base members each provided with a horizontally arranged channel opening toward each other for receiving and retaining the upper and lower edges of the board, and said side members each provided with an inwardly offset shoulder against which the side edges of the board abut when the latter is mounted in either position for use.

3. In combination, a reversible board provided with a blackboard on one side and a corkboard on the other, and a supporting frame for mounting said board in nclined position, said frame comprising a head rail, a base of substantially greater depth than the head rail, substantially triangular-shaped side walls all connected together into a rigid assembly, the head rail and base each provided with a horizontally arranged channel opening toward each other for receiving and retaining the upper and lower edges ofthe board, and said side walls each provided with an inwardly offset shoulder against which the side edges of the board abut for retaining the board in inclined position when mounted in either position for use.

4. In combination, a supporting frame, a removable and reversible board of rectangular shape having a blackboard on one face and a corkboard on the other face, said frame comprising a top member, a base member of substantially greater depth than the top member and substantially triangular-shaped side members, said members having over lapping flanges joined together to form a rigid assembly, said top and base members each provided With a continuous channel for receiving and retaining the upper and lower edges of the board and said side members `each having an inwardly projecting, inclined ange providing a continuous shoulder against which the side edges of the board abut whereby the board is held in an inclined plane for use.

5. In combination, a reversible board of rectangular shape having a writing surface on one side and a displal surface on the other, a frame for rigidly supporting the board in an inclined plane in either of its positions of use, said frame having a top, bottom and side members rigidly connected together, the `bottom member being of substantially greater depth than the top member and said side members provided with an inwardly projecting and downwardly and outwardly inclined ledge against which the opposite edges of the board abut when the board is in use, the top and bottom members being channelled for the reception of the top and bottom edges of the board with the channel of the top member of substantial height whereby the bottom edge of Athe board may be lifted out of the channel in lthe Abase member and pulled away from the shoulders of the side members to remove or reverse the board by inserting a finger of each hand into an opening in the board and lifting 'the board.

6. In combination, a supporting frame, a removable and reversible board of rectangular shape Vhaving a black board on one face and-a display board on =the other face, said frame comprising a `top member, a base member yof substantially greater depth than the top member and side members, said members being of channel shape with a rear flange and overlapping ends joined 'together `to form a rigid assembly, said top and base members each provided witha continuouschannel forlreceiving and retaining the upper `and lower edges of the board-and said side members each having an inwardly projecting, inclined flange providing a continuous shoulder against which the side edges of the board abut whereby the board is held in aninclined plane Vfor use, the rear flange of said side members having spaced openings for mounting the frame at different elevations, and a chalk and eraser trough affixed to the base member.

7. In combination, a reversible board having a `blackboard on one side and a display board on the other, and a supporting frame for mounting and retaining said board in a downwardly and outwardly inclined 4plane `for use with either side exposed, saidvfrarne having a channelled head rail, a base of substantially greater depth than `the head rail and spaced side lframe members `of substantially triangular shape and each provided with a downwardly and outwardly inclined and inwardly projecting ange with said anges being spaced apart to receive and support the opposite ends of the reversible board in inclined position in the frame, said base having -a support for receiving and supporting the lower end of the reversible board, and a chalk trough secured to and projecting outwardly from the supporting frame at the lower end of the board.

References Cited in the tile of this `patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 217,289 Kane July 48, 1879 577,888 Thomas Mar. 2, 41897 1,984,845 Smithetal, Dec. 18, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,571 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1933 

